73. Veterans Day – Eclectic Bullet

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Andy is ranting solo for this episode of Reconnect.

This episode was released on Sunday, earlier than the typical Tuesday release.  The Friday of the release week is Veterans Day, so Andy shares some thoughts on Christian vocation and quotes from Martin Luther to illustrate how soldiers are loving God and their neighbors through their calling in the military.

The rest of the episode is an eclectic bullet that covers the following topics, fit for Election Week:

10 questions Andy received that are to be answered by a pro-life candidate running for federal office

The damaging consequences of homosexuality and why the government shouldn’t approve gay marriage

Health Care is a commodity not a right.
Ben Carson Quote

Students at Berkley protesting for spaces on campus that are to only be for students of color and students who are LGBTQAZB+ and how they kept white students from entering the campus – No Liberal, Social Justice Warrior outrage – WHY?

There is only one race – the Human Race!

Trey Gowdy  – “I hate relativism!”

The Gospel – Christ died for all sins!

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72. Jesus is Pro-Life!

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jesus-is-prolife
Jesus said that he came to give life and to give it to the full.  He also said that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10) It should be pretty obvious which side of the abortion debate Jesus stands and which side the devil hides.

In this episode, James Conrad shares his family’s personal experiences with multiple abortions and the tragic aftermath that these murders have left for the survivors.  The good that has arisen from these horrendous loses of lives is that James’ mother started a pro-life activism group who has fought relentlessly for the rights and lives of the unborn.

James shares why all lives matter and why everyone has equal rights to life and how abortions are very harmful to women.  He also responds to the argument that abortions should be legal to save the life of the mother and gives some important advice on responding to several political questions that pro-life advocates often times encounter.

Show Links:

Elliot Institute’s Fact Sheets – Check out the one’s on how harmful abortions are for women.

Does Birth Control Pill Cause Abortions? – Check out the free brochure download!

Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust

Recall Abortion by Janet Morana (Book James recommended)

Live Action Youtube Channel (James mentions their videos)

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71. Christians Voting For Trump – How and Why?

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christians-for-trump
Andy and Tony discuss an article written by Sara Benincase entitled, “A Gentile Reminder That Jesus Was A Brown Skinned Middle Eastern Refugee Who Would Not Have Voted For Trump.”

Sticking to the Reconnect dedication of sharing and defending the Good News of Jesus Christ, Andy and Tony do share the Gospel in this episode as well as defend the Gospel in light of Sara’s claim that the Bible is a bunch of fables and myths, but there is a large focus on the broadened use of the term Gospel that refers to the Gospel biographies, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

The article they are discussing claims that Jesus was a refugee, that he started free healthcare, that he was killed by conservatives, and that he certainly wouldn’t have voted for Donald Trump, so Andy and Tony focus on discussing if Sara’s article accurately portrays what is revealed about Jesus in the Gospel biographies.  They also spend a good bit of time discussing if Sara’s article accurately portrays the things Donald Trump has said on the campaign trail.

Finally, they discuss how and why many Christians do plan to vote for Donald Trump and how it’s possible for them to do so with a clear conscience.

Show Links:

“A Gentle Reminder That Jesus Was A Brown Skinned Middle Eastern Refugee Who Would Not Have Voted For Trump” by Sara Benincasa

“Women’s Healthcare Will be Vastly Improved if Planned-Parenthood is Defunded” by Arina Grossu

“Donald Trump’s History of Empowering Women” excerpts from a Washington Post Article

Did Donald call all Mexicans rapists?  Check the actual quote that Andy read on the episode for yourself.

Hillary Clinton: Career Criminal – Must Watch Video If You Are Voting For Hillary

“I wrote about Max and Beth to Defend Christian Trump Supporters” by Mario Murillo

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70. Does Baptism Save You?

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baptism

All Christian church congregations and denominations read God’s Word and have baptism and communion.  However, baptism and communion are both divisive within God’s Church.  In this episode, Wes and Andy discuss what Scripture says about baptism.  In particular, they address the questions:

  1. Does Baptism save you?
  2. Does a person have to be baptized to be saved?

The answers to these questions are important since they involve salvation and they have divided the Church for centuries.

Please look up the Bible verses they share as you listen.  Ask yourself if the verses convey promises of forgiveness of sins in baptism or promises of being connected to Christ’s death and resurrection in the waters of baptism.  Ask yourself if the verses they share emphasis the work of the believer in his or her baptism or the work of God through baptism.  Ask yourself how the forgiveness of sins that Christ won on the cross is delivered to people today.

Show Links

“Does Baptism Save You?” by Andy Wrasman

“Means of Grace Questions” by Andy Wrasman

“What is Baptism?” by Andy Wrasman

Contradict Movement Video Production Donation

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69. Jesus vs. Marvel vs. DC

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incarnation-comic-book
Alan Shlemon created this slide for a presentation on the Doctrine of the Incarnation at this year’s series of ReThink Apologetics Conferences.

Scripture reveals that Jesus, from the instant of his incarnation, is both fully God and fully man.

The Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD produced the Chalcedonian Creed to counter the false explanations of the union of the two natures of Christ and the down-right heretical teachings concerning the incarnation of Christ.  Four key statements can be drawn from this creed:

1.     Christ is fully (perfectly) God.
2.     Christ is fully (perfectly) human.
3.     The divine nature and human nature are united in the person of Jesus Christ.
4.     Jesus Christ is one person.

These four statements can be placed along each side of a box.  This box is the Chalcedonian Box. As long as any teaching, anecdote, or analogy of the person and work of Christ maintains that Jesus is fully God, fully man, one person, with two natures, it lands within this box.  When one of these doctrines is distorted, or worse, erased, the teaching lands outside of the box is appropriately labeled a heresy.

Alan Shlemon, a speaker, teacher, and writer, for Stand to Reason, created a slide for a presentation he gave on the incarnation of Christ.  At the center of the slide is the Chalcedonian Box with a clipart image of Jesus in the middle of the box.  Outside of the box lies DC’s Batman and Superman and Marvel’s the Hulk and Spider-Man.

Wes and Andy discuss this excellent image Shlemon created!  Jon Pratt sits like a fly on the wall once again.

How are Batman, Superman, the Hulk, and Spider-Man not good analogies to use to explain how Jesus can be one person with two natures?  Why does it matter if we are missing the mark of Scripture with these comic book analogies?  Also, more importantly, what Christological heresies align with these modern day comic book superhero analogies to let us know that people have actually taught Christ in these throughout history, and in some cases still do!

Show Links

Alan Shlemon’s Stand to Reason Bio and Speaking Page

ReThink Apologetics Conference (This is where Alan presented his Incarnation slide)

Read the Creed of Chalcedon (451 AD)

Chalcedonian Box Links – Compiled by Andy’s Teacher’s Assistant

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